Audley Harrison v George Arias
Audley Harrison v George Arias
Harrison, 36, in his second fight since a shock defeat to Michael Sprott last year, still maintains he can somehow win a world heavyweight title.
Harrison told Sky Box Office: “One hundred per cent. There hasn’t been an Olympic gold medallist from Great Britain who’s gone on to win a world title.
“I honestly believe, 100 per cent, that in 2009 (I can be a world champion). I’ve got skills and if you put my skills against any other heavyweight I’m going to come out on top, that’s my honest belief.”
However, the evidence on Saturday night suggested he has some way to go.
Harrison struggled to victory against a durable but unspectacular opponent and despite winning comfortably by a 98-92 score he did little to endear himself in the eyes of the British public.
The Londoner was jeered into the ring but started quite positively with double body shots landing against a very compact opponent.
A more tentative second round prompted almost unanimous abuse from a harsh crowd towards Harrison although he won a few over with a good third in which the straight left was his best success.
Arias’ punches were more warmly cheered, however, and a succession of good right hands forced Harrison to take a step back.
It was proving to be a dispiriting fight at this point as Arias showed he was no pushover and the firmly anti-Harrison crowd continued to berate the 2000 Olympic super-heavyweight champion despite decent action in the ring by his standards.
Arias enjoyed the better of the ninth round, catching Harrison with a good left hook to which the Briton was wide open.
Harrison upped his work rate significantly in the final round with a more sustained attack to head and body.
But when referee John Kean raised Harrison’s arm in victory it was Arias who got the biggest cheer as the boos rang out again for the Londoner.
